KUALA LUMPUR – There are no plans to make the installation of dashcams mandatory in all vehicles in the country, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
He has said although the ministry has received several suggestions on the matter, it has to consider various aspects, including the cost to the public, if they are made mandatory.
The ministry, however, encourages their installation.
“If they (vehicle manufacturers) can install them (dashcams) in their new cars, we will strongly encourage it, but so far we have not made it mandatory,” he told the media after an engagement session with editors here today.
Also present at the media session were the ministry’s deputy secretary-general for policy Datuk Normah Osman, Road Transport Department deputy director-general for planning and operations Aedy Fadly Ramli, Bernama editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj and Bernama News Service executive editor Mohd Haikal Isa.
In addition, Loke also encouraged bus operators to install dashcams to so that recordings could be used as evidence in road accidents.
“(Footage from) dashcams can be used as proof of who is at fault and who should be responsible if there is an accident,” he said.
Meanwhile, Loke said there were 600,000 road accidents, with over 6,500 deaths, last year according to statistics.
“If we look at the statistics, the rate is 15 to 17 deaths a day and this is a big number,” he also said.
“For every person who dies, it is for us (the ministry) a tragedy that does not need to happen because road accidents can be avoided if every driver takes a cautious attitude and obeys road rules,” he added. – May 16, 2024